5 ways apprentices can benefit a business

Since 2010, more than 2 million apprenticeships have been taken up across a broad range of professional sectors.

Since 2010, more than 2 million apprenticeships have been taken up across a broad range of professional sectors. At the BRE Academy, we are delighted to be part of this necessary up-skilling within our team. Through this blog we aim to show just some of the benefits an apprentice can bring to your business.

1. Apprentices are being employed in an ever increasing number of business sectors

There is still a common misconception that apprenticeships would not suit many businesses. However, the broad range of business areas in which apprentices are employed, demonstrates potential across the business world. The top three sectors for apprenticeships in 2014 were health and social care, business administration and management.

2. Investing in apprenticeships is important to the development of both businesses and people

Almost 90% of employers who take on apprentices report benefits to their business. Bringing a “fresh pair of eyes” and renewed inspiration to a team through the employment of an apprentice, is an important element in driving a business forward.

70% of businesses who have employed apprentices have witnessed greater productivity within their team along with increased quality of service, highlighting the numerous benefits of investing in future professionals in this way.

4. As an apprentice, career development is important, because being a part of this up-skilling improves business

What is excellent about having an apprentice as part of the team is the true value they bring to themselves, on top of what they bring to the business. 82% of apprentices in the UK have witnessed an improved ability to do their job through the scheme and 79% said that their career prospects had escalated from undertaking an apprenticeship.

5. With recent government changes, it is an exciting time to be investing in apprenticeships within your business

The Conservative Government has announced funding for a further 3 million apprenticeships and with the summer budget (2015) declaring a levy for big businesses and associated changes to apprenticeship funding, there is great opportunity to up-skill and invest in people now.

(Statistics from Govt.UK and House of Commons Library).

Apprenticeships with the BRE Academy and BRE Group
At the BRE Academy, we will continue our commitment to up-skilling the industry through apprenticeships. We are proud to be part of a growing number of companies to benefit from the enthusiasm of apprentice talent which allows us to mould and develop our business into the future.

Since it launched in 2012, BRE has seen increasing success regarding its provision of valuable apprenticeships within the built environment. The BRE Apprenticeship Scheme has been independently recognised by the official Government regulatory body NAS. In September 2014, we won the National Apprenticeship Scheme Best Large Newcomer Award for the East of England.

In November 2014, BRE Group was selected as one of the top 100 employers of apprentices in the UK, placing us in the City & Guilds Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2014 alongside businesses such as British Airways, Virgin Media, Barclays Bank, Nestle and other globally recognised brands.

BRE currently employs 22 apprentices in a range of applications across the laboratories, IT, finance, digital, administration, estates and the nursery. By the end of 2015 this is expected to have increased to 30+ apprentices, as part of our commitment to up-skill and develop the industry.